Adams Co. marijuana grow leads to uncovering of large grow, distribution operation linked to Neb.

DENVER – A Westminster man’s illegal marijuana grow led North Metro Task Force and federal agents to four of his other grow-houses and uncovered a distribution ring that linked to Nebraska.

The bust was described in court documents filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court of Colorado that backed a U.S. attorney’s notice of complaint for forfeiture of around $65,000 in cash seized from the man’s grow-houses.

The task force first found out about Timothy Koch’s alleged grow and distribution operation in May 2016, when they went to a home in the 11000 block of Clay Court in Westminster on a complaint that the house smelled of marijuana.

Inside, they found Koch’s brother, Jason Koch, who eventually agreed to let officers inside to inspect the grow. Jason told officers his brother was renting the house, and that he had recently moved to Colorado from Nebraska and was being paid $20 an hour to trim and package the marijuana for his brother.

After getting a full search warrant, detectives found 278 pounds of marijuana, 2 ½ pounds of marijuana concentrate, $65,119 in cash, a money counting machine and paperwork for other properties Timothy owned or was renting.

Jason told investigators that people in a white pickup from Nebraska would come to Westminster every few weeks to pick up between 60 and 120 pounds of marijuana from the house.

Jason said Timothy would leave shortly after the pickup and head to Nebraska as well. Jason said Timothy would return a few days later each time with between $80,000 and $120,000.

He also told investigators that Timothy was renting or owned four other properties across Colorado, in Thornton, Broomfield, Dacono.

Timothy’s neighbor across the street in Westminster also had a marijuana grow operation that was allegedly part of the distribution ring.

Agents raided those facilities as well, and by the end of the raids, had seized 360 pounds of dry marijuana, 2.67 pounds of marijuana concentrate, 638 plants and the $65,119 that is in DEA custody.

Also found at the houses, according to the complaint, was a rejection letter from the state Medical Marijuana Registry and documents related to the properties and several marijuana-related businesses.

The DEA agent who compiled the report added that Timothy had reported a combined $31,000 in combined income in 2015 and 2016 via Smile Labs, a company registered in his name.

Timothy Koch has been charged in Adams County with marijuana cultivation, marijuana distribution of between 25 and 50 pounds, marijuana possession with intent to distribute between 25 and 50 pounds, manufacturing marijuana concentrate and marijuana conspiracy.